Following recent backlash among many Democrats and LGBTQ+ people across the state, Ohio Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton added the language to her campaign platform for the Ohio LGBTQ+ community.
June 30 – While discussing the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision to uphold state bans on transgender athletes – Acton said Toledo Blade that she plans to enforce Ohio’s ban on transgender women participating in women’s sports using transphobic language.
“I do not support boys playing girls’ sports. Ohio already has a law in place and as governor I will enforce and follow it,” Acton said. “As a doctor, public servant and mother, I will always advocate for justice and protect the health and safety of children….”
This statement sparked criticism from democratic organizations, including Ohio Democratic Pride Club and Ohio Democratic Progressive Club.
Three weeks later, Acton’s website now includes recent language on her campaign platform supporting LGBTQ+ Ohioans:
“All Ohioans deserve fair and equal treatment under the law. As Governor, I am committed to opposing discrimination and ensuring that every Ohioan – including members of the LGBT community – receives equal protection under the law.”
“I will push for anti-discrimination laws to ensure that Ohioans are not unjustly fired from jobs or denied housing, other public accommodations, or equal pay because of their race, gender, sexual orientation, or religion,” Acton says on its official website. “As governor, I will focus on uniting our communities, not sowing hatred and division; every Ohioan deserves to live freely and be treated with dignity.”
Acton’s comments in the Toledo Blade appear to reflect a larger political shift among Democrats on the civil rights of transgender Americans.
Longtime U.S. Senator from Ohio Sherrod Brown faced backlash from LGBTQ+ leaders after: 2024 campaign advertising that paint transgender Ohioans in an unfavorable lithe.
U.S. Representative for Ohio’s 9th District, Marci Kaptur, also faced backlash from LGBTQ+ Ohioans, as she was one of only eight Democrats in Congress to vote for H.R. 261, a federal bill that would require schools to make transgender students available to their parents or legal guardians – regardless of suspicions of LGBTQ+ abuse at home.
On July 6, the Buckeye Flame contacted Dr. Acton’s campaign staff to schedule an interview regarding her candidacy and received the following response: “Dr. Acton does not have room in her schedule for this at this time.”
Acton is currently polling neck-and-neck with his Republican opponent Vivek Ramaswamy in the extremely competitive race for Ohio governor.
Ramaswamy – Endorsed by President Trump and The Ohio-based anti-LGBTQ+ hate group Center for Christian Virtue – does not appear to mention LGBTQ+ Ohioans on its official campaign platform.
His Ramaswamy website will “restore a political culture where we can respectfully disagree and still see each other as neighbors, friends and fellow citizens.”
Libertarian, Don Kissick supports a state constitutional amendment to protect marriage equality, but his official campaign makes no mention of civil rights for transgender Ohioans. 🔥
START ACTION
- To register to vote or check your eligibility to vote in Ohio, click here.
- To find the contact information for your Ohio State Representative, click here.
- To find contact information for an Ohio State Senator, click here.
- If you are a youthful LGBTQ+ person in crisis, please contact Trevor’s project: 866-4-U-Trevor.
- If you are a transgender adult in need of immediate facilitate, please contact National Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860
